Can you put your finger on the pulse of greatness?
In other words, what exactly does Novak Djokovic do so well that sets him apart from other players? Is there a specific match stat that identifies the gap between him and the rest of the field?
Yes. Over there. Is. 🎯
Novak won 12-0 in Australia in January, winning five matches in Adelaide and seven matches in Melbourne. He was on a mission.
I tagged all of his matches in Australia in my Brain Game Match Intelligence Report (13 page match stats) to discover what he did so well and where he caused significant separation from his opponents.
What I found was shocking. Let’s take the layers off…
MORE NOVAK DJOKOVIC
click here – Webinar 12: Working on the Djokovic coaching team
click here – Webinar 18: FREE Analysis Novak Djokovic 2023 Australia
WINNERS AND MISTAKES
The following two tables list all the winners and mistakes of Novak and his opponents.
Adelaide and Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic 12 matches
The focus is here FORHĘCE.
- Novak hit 42 more forehands than his opponents (143-101)
- Novak committed 145 fewer forehand errors than his opponents (158-303).
His 42-point lead in hitting winners was significant. His 145-point lead with forehand errors was staggering!
Now let’s split this data in a different way…
2023 Australia: Djokovic forehand winners and mistakes
Here Novak finds the next level.
Novak hit 143 winners and made 158 errors, so he finished -15 if you subtract the errors from the winners. By the way, errors consist of all forced and unforced errors.
To be -15 is just from another planet. 🌎🚀
As you may have heard me mention in the past, the forehand is a sword and the backhand is a shield. The role of the forehand is to attack and force errors. The role of the backhand is not to be missed.
Novak’s opponents hit 101 forehand winners and made 303 forehand faults. It ended up at -202 when you subtract the winners from the mistakes.
Novak’s difference of -15 is light years better than his opponents’ difference of -202.
The main difference that distinguishes Novak from his 12 opponents is not the ability to land winning forehands. They were basically on the same field. It’s Novak’s ability to avoid forehand errors. That’s what separates him at the end of the day.
Look at the photo at the top of the page where Novak is making a defensive forehand. It’s impressive how balanced his body is under duress.
Novak created a huge separation from his opponents without spraying forehands. It’s a combination of ridiculously clean and simple technique, spacing, balance, anticipation and early preparation. Everything to focus on also at the amateur level.
Next time you’re working on or relying on your forehand in a competition, keep Novak’s 2023 data from Down Under in mind. Beating winners is fun. Placing forehands consistently on the court helps you win titles.
what’s best
Craig
Just completed a FREE webinar on Novak Down Under 12 Matches for early 2023.
click here – Webinar 18: FREE Analysis Novak Djokovic 2023 Australia
